Spelling Game Kit and Method

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a word game kit. The word game kit includes a plurality of theme playboards and a set of letter tiles. Each theme playboard is labeled with a theme and marked with a grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme. Each crossword includes a plurality of letter spaces. Each letter tile is dimensioned to be placed on a letter space. The set of letter tiles includes a number of letter tiles with letter-types that match the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces. The present disclosure also provides a method for playing an interactive spelling game between a plurality of players including a first player and a second player.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to a word game kit and a method for playing an interactive spelling game that challenges players of all ages and developmental abilities with spelling and word comprehension.

Many word games require a player to formulate words based on the letter tiles within a player's share of letter tiles. Such word games require a player to deduce which words may be spelled with a player's share of letter tiles and accurately spell the words, which may be above a player's cognitive ability. Other word games provide one fixed playboard of unrelated words that players may cover with letter tiles from each player's share of letter tiles. Games with one fixed playboard typically result in reinforcement of a player's memorization of the playboard, rather than developing a player's letter recognition, spelling, or literacy. Moreover, many word games include graphics on the playboard, which distracts players and prevents players from focusing on the letters and words of the game.

A need exists for a game that targets and develops a player's letter recognition, spelling, counting, and literacy, while also increasing the player's vocabulary. A need further exists for a word game that encourages and reinforces a player's social interaction, use of speech, and use of speech devices and keyboards.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a word game kit. The word game kit includes a plurality of theme playboards and a set of letter tiles. Each theme playboard is labeled with a theme and marked with a grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme. Each crossword includes a plurality of letter spaces. Each letter tile is dimensioned to be placed on a letter space. The set of letter tiles includes a number of letter tiles with letter-types that match the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces.

The present disclosure also provides a method for playing an interactive spelling game between a plurality of players including a first player and a second player. The method includes providing a word game kit including a plurality of theme playboards and a set of letter tiles. Each theme playboard is labeled with a theme and marked with a grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme. Each crossword includes a plurality of letter spaces. Each letter tile is dimensioned to be placed on a letter space. The set of letter tiles includes a number of letter tiles with letter-types that match the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces. The method further includes (A) selecting one theme playboard from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard; (B) removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles from the set; and (C) alternating turns between players, each player selecting a letter tile from the player's respective share and covering, in spell order, the letter spaces of the in-play theme playboard with letter tiles from each player's respective share, wherein the letter tile and the covered letter space have the same letter-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a theme playboard in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a plurality of letter tiles in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3a is a top plan view of a mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3b is a top plan view of a mat and a plurality of letter tiles in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a substrate and a theme playboard in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a guidecard in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6a is a top plan view of a theme playboard and a letter tile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6b is a top plan view of a theme playboard and a plurality of letter tiles in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6c is a top plan view of a theme playboard and a plurality of letter tiles in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6d is a top plan view of a theme playboard and a plurality of letter tiles in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6e is a top plan view of a theme playboard and a plurality of letter tiles in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of tokens in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a substrate, a theme playboard and a plurality of letter tiles in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a word game kit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a word game kit in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DEFINITIONS

The numerical ranges disclosed herein include all values from, and including, the lower and upper value. For ranged containing explicit values (e.g., 1 or 2; or 3 to 5; or 6; or 7), any subrange between any two explicit values is included (e.g., 1 to 2; 2 to 6; 5 to 7; 3 to 7; 5 to 6; etc.).

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and their derivatives, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. In order to avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term “comprising” may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, “consisting essentially of” excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step, or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term “consisting of” excludes any component, step, or procedure not specifically delineated or listed. The term “or,” unless stated otherwise, refers to the listed members individually as well as in any combination. Use of the singular includes use of the plural and vice versa.

For purposes of United States patent practice, the contents of any referenced patent, patent application or publication are incorporated by reference in their entirety (or its equivalent US version is so incorporated by reference) especially with respect to the disclosure of definitions (to the extent not inconsistent with any definitions specifically provided in this disclosure) and general knowledge in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a word game kit and a method for playing an interactive spelling game between a plurality of players including a first player and a second player.

A. Word Game Kit

The present disclosure provides a word game kit. The word game kit includes a plurality of theme playboards and a set of letter tiles, as shown in FIG. 9. In an embodiment, the word game kit includes a plurality of guidecards. Each theme playboard is labeled with a theme and marked with a grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme. Each crossword includes a plurality of letter spaces. Each letter tile is dimensioned to be placed on a letter space. The set of letter tiles includes a number of letter tiles with letter-types that match the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces.

1. Theme Playboards

FIG. 9 shows a word game kit 100 which includes a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b. FIG. 10 shows a word game kit 100 which includes a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c. FIG. 1 depicts a theme playboard 1 a in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A “theme playboard” includes at least one playing surface upon which a word game may be played, the playing surface being labeled with a theme and marked with a grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme. Each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c is labeled with a theme 3 and marked with a grid of crosswords 5 corresponding to the theme 3. In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a includes one playing surface 2 and the playing surface 2 is labeled with a theme 3 and marked with a grid of crosswords 5. In another embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a includes two opposing surfaces and each opposing surface is labeled with a theme 3 and marked with a grid of crosswords 5 to form two playing surfaces 2.

While the present disclosure describes features of theme playboard 1 a, the skilled artisan understands the description with respect to theme playboard 1 a applies equally to theme playboards 1 b and 1 c, and any other theme playboard of the plurality of theme playboards included in the present word game kit 100.

The theme playboard 1 a may be formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. The theme playboard 1 a may be formed from a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, chipboard, particle board, wood, plastic, metal, metal alloy, fabric, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a includes a magnetic material.

A “magnetic material” is a material that produces a magnetic field and is able to be magnetically attached to other magnetic materials. Nonlimiting examples of suitable magnetic materials include ferromagnetic materials, ferrimagnetic materials, lodenstone, magnetite and combinations thereof. Nonlimiting examples of suitable ferromagentic and ferrimagnetic materials include iron oxides such as hematite and magnetite; aluminum oxides; nickel oxides; cobalt oxides; manganese oxides; zinc oxides; manganese-zinc ferrite; nickel-zinc ferrite; strontium ferrite; barium ferrite; cobalt ferrite; and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a is formed from a magnetic material and a plastic. In a further embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a is formed from an iron oxide and a plastic.

The theme playboard 1 a has a polygonal shape from a top-plan view. A “polygonal shape” is a closed-plane figure bounded by at least three sides. Nonlimiting examples of suitable polygonal shapes include triangle, square, rectangle, parallelogram, hexagon and octagon. FIG. 1 depicts a theme playboard 1 a with a rectangle shape.

The theme playboard 1 a has an area. In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a has an area from 100 square inches (in²), or 121 in², or 144 in², or 169 in², or 196 in², or 225 in², or 232 in², or 256 in² to 289 in², or 324 in², or 361 in², or 400 in², or 625 in², or 1000 in². In a further embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a has an area of 232.5 in².

i. Theme

Each theme playboard 1 a is labeled with a theme 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

A “theme” is a topic. Nonlimiting examples of suitable themes 3 include animals, zoo animals, farm animals, pets, insects, nature, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, laundry, clothes, cleaning, school, beach, playground, camping, vacation, transportation, geography, food, vegetables, fruits, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, colors, sports, swimming, numbers, math, science, hygiene, body parts, feelings, manners, holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, jobs, music, weather, space, family, friends, spring, summer, winter, and fall.

In an embodiment, each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c playing surface 2 included in the word game kit 100 is labeled with a different theme 3, such that no two theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c playing surfaces 2 are labeled with the same theme 3.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable languages with which to label the theme include English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic, Portugese, Bengali, Russian, Japanese, Punjabi, Vietnamese, Korean, Turkish, Italian, Polish, Persian, Ukranian, Dutch, Greek, Cantonese, Tai and Javanese. FIG. 1 depicts the theme playboard 1 a labeled with the theme 3 “clothes” in English. FIG. 9 depicts the theme playboard 1 b labeled with the theme 3 “zoo animals” in English. FIG. 10 depicts the theme playboard 1 c labeled with the theme 3 “hygiene” in English.

ii. Grid of Crosswords

Each theme playboard 1 a is marked with a grid of crosswords 5 corresponding to the theme 3, as shown in FIG. 1.

A “grid of crosswords” includes at least two words, the words sharing at least one letter space with each other. Stated differently, a grid of crosswords includes two or more words that are interconnected by way of at least one letter space shared between the words. FIG. 1 shows a crossword 5 “scarf” that is interconnected with a crossword 5 “sweater” because the two crosswords 5 share the letter space 7 with the letter-type “r.”

In addition to the grid of crosswords 5, the theme playboard 1 a may be marked with one or more lone words 6. A “lone word” is a word that does not intersect another word, such that a lone word does not share a letter space with any other word. For example, the word “pajamas” in FIG. 1 is a lone word 6 because it is not interconnected with another word. In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a is marked with a grid of crosswords 5 and one or more lone words 6. In a further embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a is marked with a grid of crosswords 5 and a plurality of lone words 6. In another embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a is marked with a grid of crosswords 5 and excludes lone words 6. Each crossword 5 and lone word 6 is a word in any language previously disclosed herein. In an embodiment, each crossword 5 and lone word 6 marked on a theme playboard 1 a is a word in the same language.

Each crossword 5 and lone word 6 is composed of a plurality of letter-types 11. A “letter-type” is a symbol of the alphabet of the language in which the crossword or lone word is marked. The English alphabet includes 26 letter-types: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z (and optionally “Qu”). Each letter-type 11 may be a capital symbol, such as “A”, or a lower-case symbol, such as “a.” In an embodiment, each crossword 5 and lone word 6 contains a plurality of letter-types 11 in a combination of capital symbols and lower-case symbols. In another embodiment, each letter-type 11 is a lower-case symbol, as shown in FIG. 1.

Each crossword 5 and lone word 6 on the playing surface 2 of the theme playboard 1 a corresponds to the theme 3 labeled on the playing surface 2 of the theme playboard 1 a. A crossword or lone word “corresponds to” a theme when (i) the theme presents a set and the cross/lone word is a subset of, or constitutes a type of, the theme; (ii) the theme identifies a category and the cross/lone word is an item or element in the category; (iii) the cross/lone word is a synonym of the theme; (iv) the cross/lone word is an antonym of the theme; and (v) combinations thereof. The crosswords 5 and lone words 6 on the playing surface 2 of the theme playboard 1 a may correspond to the theme in the same fashion or in different fashions. For example, a theme playboard 1 a with crosswords 5 and lone words 6 that correspond to the theme in different fashions may include crosswords 5 and lone words 6 that are synonyms of the theme, antonyms of the theme, and items or elements within a category presented by the theme.

FIG. 1 depicts a theme playboard 1 a labeled with the theme 3 “clothes” and marked with a grid of crosswords 5 denoting types of clothes such as “robe,” “shirt,” “shoes,” “scarf,” “slipper,” “dress” and “coat,” and lone words 6 such as “pajamas” and “socks.” The theme 3 “clothing” presents a set and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 each correspond to the theme 3 “clothes” because the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 depict types of, or constitute a subset of, the theme 3 “clothing.” The crosswords 5 and lone words 6 on the playing surface 2 of the theme playboard 1 a correspond to the theme in the same fashion because each is a subset of the set presented by the theme 3 “clothing.”

By way of further illustration, for theme playboard 1 b, nonlimiting examples of suitable crosswords 5 or lone words 6 corresponding to the theme 3 “zoo animals” include “bear,” “zebra,” “monkey,” “camel,” “penguin,” “lion,” “panda,” “elephant,” “koala,” “snake,” “flamingo,” “reindeer” and “leopard.” The theme 3 “zoo animals” presents a set and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 each correspond to the theme 3 “zoo animals” because the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 depict types of, or constitute a subset of, the theme 3 “zoo animals.” The crosswords 5 and lone words 6 on the playing surface 2 of the theme playboard 1 b correspond to the theme in the same fashion because each is a subset of the set presented by the theme 3 “zoo animals.”

By way of further illustration, for the theme playboard 1 c, nonlimiting examples of suitable crosswords 5 or lone words 6 corresponding to the theme 3 “hygiene” include “clean,” “wash,” “soap,” “toothpaste,” “shampoo,” “bath,” “shower,” “sink,” “deodorant,” “sanitation,” “hands,” “liquid,” “filth” and “dirty.” The theme 3 identifies a category “hygiene” and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 “clean,” “wash,” “soap,” “toothpaste,” “shampoo,” “bath,” “shower,” “sink,” “deodorant,” “hands,” and “liquid” constitute elements or items within the category “hygiene.” The crossword 5 or lone word 6 “sanitation” corresponds to the theme 3 “hygiene” because it is a synonym of the theme 3. The crosswords and lone words 6 “filth” and “dirty” correspond to the theme 3 “hygiene” because each is an antonym of the theme 3 “hygiene.” The crosswords 5 and lone words 6 on the playing surface 2 of the theme playboard 1 c correspond to the theme 3 in a different fashion because they include (i) a synonym of the theme 3; (ii) antonyms of the theme 3, and (iii) elements or items within a category presented by the theme 3.

By way of further illustration, nonlimiting examples of suitable crosswords 5 or lone words 6 corresponding to a theme playboard with the theme 3 “transportation” include “moving,” “train,” “car,” “bus,” “vehicle,” “subway,” “boat,” “ferry,” “bicycle,” “motorcycle,” “plane,” “ship,” “tractor,” “road,” “bridge,” “pilot,” “driver” and “passenger.” The theme 3 identifies a category “transportation” and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 “road,” “bridge,” “pilot,” “driver” and “passenger” constitute elements or items within the category “transportation.” The theme 3 “transportation” presents a set and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 “train,” “car,” “bus,” “vehicle,” “subway,” “boat,” “ferry,” “bicycle,” “motorcycle,” “plane,” “ship” and “tractor” each correspond to the theme 3 “transportation” because the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 depict types of, or constitute a subset of, the theme 3 “transportation.” The crossword 5 or lone word 6 “moving” corresponds to the theme 3 “transportation” because it is a synonym of the theme 3.

By way of further illustration, nonlimiting examples of suitable crosswords 5 or lone words 6 corresponding to a theme playboard with the theme 3 “bedroom” include “bed,” “dresser,” “nightstand,” “lamp,” “closet,” “hanger,” “clothes,” “sleep,” “mirror,” “bookcase,” “pillow,” “blanket,” “window,” “rug,” “curtains” and “wardrobe.” The theme presents a category, “bedroom,” and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 each correspond to the theme “bedroom” because they each depict items or elements within the category.

Each crossword 5 and lone word 6 is aligned with a table of intersecting columns 23 and rows 25, as shown in FIG. 1. The intersection of a column and a row defines a “space.” In an embodiment, the table includes from 5, or 10, or 15 to 20, or 25, or 30, or 35, or 40, or 45, or 50 rows and from 5, or 10, or 15 to 20, or 25, or 30, or 35, or 40, or 45, or 50 columns. The table may include the same number of rows 25 and columns 23, or different numbers of rows 25 and columns 23. FIG. 1 depicts a table with fifteen rows 25 and fifteen columns 23, resulting in a table with 225 spaces 27. In an embodiment, each space 27 has an area from 0.25 in², or 0.50 in² to 1.0 in², or 1.5 in², or 2.0 in², or 2.5 in², or 3.0 in², or 3.5 in², or 4.0 in². In a further embodiment, each space 27 has an area of 1.0 in².

FIG. 1 depicts the theme playboard 1 a labeled with the theme 3 “clothing” that includes the crosswords 5 “robe,” “shorts,” “coat,” “hat,” “dress,” “skirt,” “sweatshirt,” “shoes,” “mitten,” “underwear,” “tie” and “scarf,” each aligned to a column 23 of the table, and the crosswords 5 “swimsuit,” “boots,” “shirt,” “tights,” “jacket,” “sweater,” “pants” and “slipper,” each aligned to a row 25 of the table. The theme playboard 1 a of FIG. 1 is also marked with the lone words 6 “glove” and “socks” aligned to a row 25 of the table, and the lone word 6 “pajamas” aligned to a column 23 of the table.

A space that includes a letter-type of a crossword or a lone word is a “letter space,” as shown in FIG. 1. Each letter space 7 includes one letter-type 11. In an embodiment, each letter space 7 includes one and only one letter-type 11. A letter space 7 including one, or one and only one, letter-type 11 includes a letter space 7 with the letter-type “Qu.” Each crossword 5 and lone word 6 includes a plurality of letter spaces 7.

Each crossword 5 and lone word 6 has a first letter space 7 a and a last letter space 7 b, as shown in FIG. 1. A “first letter space” is the letter space including the first letter-type of a crossword or lone word in accordance with the traditional spelling of the crossword or lone word in the selected language. A “last letter space” is the letter space including the last letter-type of a crossword or lone word in accordance with the traditional spelling of the crossword or lone word in the selected language. As shown in FIG. 1, for the crossword 5 “robe,” the letter space 7 with the letter-type 11 “r” is the first letter space 7 a, and the letter space 7 with the letter-type 11 “e” is the last letter space 7 b.

The grid of crosswords includes two or more, or a plurality of, crosswords 5. In an embodiment, the grid of crosswords includes from 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 15, or 18, or 20 to 22, or 24, or 25, or 26, or 28, or 30, or 35, or 40, or 45, or 50 crosswords 5. In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a includes a combined number of crosswords 5 and lone words 6 from 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 15, or 18, or 20 to 22, or 24, or 25, or 26, or 28, or 30, or 35, or 40, or 45, or 50, with the proviso that the theme playboard 1 a includes at least two interconnected crosswords 5.

Each theme playboard 1 a has a number of letter-types 11 shown in the letter spaces 7. The number of letter-types 11 indicates the amount of each letter-type 11 marked on the theme playboard 1 a. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a theme playboard 1 a with the following number of letter-types 11: A=10, B=1, C=4, D=2, E=12, F=1, G=2, H=4, I=9, J=2, K=2, L=2, M=2, N=3, O=7, P=4, Q=0, R=10, S=16, T=12, U=1, V=1, W=4, X=0, Y=0, and Z=0.

The grid of crosswords 5 and lone words 6 are marked on the theme playboard 1 a in a color. Nonlimiting examples of suitable colors include red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo, violet, pink, green, purple, teal, black, gold, silver, turquoise, gray, brown, magenta, maroon, tan, beige, chartreuse, white, navy, and combinations thereof.

Spaces that do not include a letter-type (i.e., spaces that are not letter spaces) are considered “void of words.” Spaces 27 that are void of words do not include letter-types 11 of a crossword 5 or a lone word 6. In an embodiment, spaces 27 that are void of words are shaded with a color to form shaded areas 13. The color may be any color previously disclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the spaces 27 that are void of words are shaded with the same color to form shaded areas 13. Including the same color in all of the shaded areas 13 is advantageously less distracting for players compared to shaded areas 13 including different colors, patterns, graphics, and other designs. Applicant found that theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c that exclude graphics and other designs advantageously allow players to focus on the crosswords 5, lone words 6 and letter-types 11 without providing distracting visual stimulation for the players.

In an embodiment, the game kit includes from 2 to 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 12, or 15, or 20, or 25, or 30, or 35, or 40, or 45, or 50 theme playboards. In a further embodiment, the game kit includes 3 or more, or at least 3, theme playboards.

Bounded by no particular theory, it is believed that including a plurality of theme playboards each with a different theme and grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme, advantageously encourages and reinforces letter-type recognition, vocabulary, and literacy skills for players, instead of reinforcing memorization of one theme playboard. Providing a variety of theme playboards is more engaging and challenging for players, especially children, compared to game kits including one playboard.

Theme playboards having a theme and grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme teach context and categorization of the crosswords and, if present, the lone words. Context and categorization allow for a higher understanding of the meaning and use of the crosswords and lone words by players, especially children. Thus, theme playboards allow users to learn crosswords and lone words that relate to one another, which reinforces a player's understanding of the theme, as well as the individual crosswords and lone words.

Children, and especially children with certain types of cognitive disabilities, oftentimes have difficulties focusing on tasks such as educational lessons. The present word game kit with a plurality of theme playboards helps focus a player, especially a child, by allowing the player to select a theme playboard for game play that has a theme of particular interest to the player, which enhances the player's interest in playing the word game. A player may also select a theme playboard for game play with a theme that reinforces a player's education, such as selecting a theme playboard labeled with the theme “hygiene” to reinforce a player's hygiene education.

The theme playboards may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

2. Letter Tiles

The word game kit 100 includes a plurality of letter tiles 9.

A “letter tile” is marked with a letter-type and dimensioned to be placed on a letter space, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 a-6 e.

Each letter tile 9 is marked with a letter-type 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The letter-type 11 may be any letter-type 11 previously disclosed herein. In an embodiment, each letter tile 9 is marked with one and only one letter-type 11. The letter tile 9 marked with one, or one and only one, letter-type 11 includes a letter tile 9 marked with the letter-type “Qu.”

The letter-types 11 are marked on the letter tiles 9 in a color. The color may be any color previously disclosed herein.

Each letter tile 9 is dimensioned to be placed on a letter space 7. The letter tile 9 dimensioned to be placed on a letter space 7 has an area equal to or less than the area of the letter space 7. In an embodiment, each letter tile 9 has the same area as a letter space 7. FIG. 6a depicts a letter tile 9 having the same area as a letter space 7. In an embodiment, each letter tile 9 has an area from 0.25 square inches (in²), or 0.50 in² to 1.0 in², or 1.5 in², or 2.0 in², or 2.5 in², or 3.0 in², or 3.5 in², or 4.0 in². In a further embodiment, each letter tile 9 has an area of 1.0 in².

Each letter tile 9 has a shape from a top-plan view. Nonlimiting examples of suitable shapes include a polygonal shape, a circle, an oval, or an ovoid. The polygonal shape may be any polygonal shape previously disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts letter tiles 9 having a square shape. In an embodiment, the spaces 27 and the letter tiles 9 have the same shape, as shown in FIGS. 6a-6e . In another embodiment, the spaces 27 and the letter tiles 9 have different shapes.

The word game kit 100 includes a set of letter tiles 9. A “set” of letter tiles includes a number of letter tiles with letter-types that match the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces. The set of letter tiles 9 includes a number of letter tiles with letter-types 11 that exactly matches the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces 7. For example, a set of letter tiles 9 that matches the number of letter-types 11 shown in the letter spaces 7 of the theme playboard 1 a of FIG. 1 includes letter tiles 9 with the following number of letter-types 11: A=10, B=1, C=4, D=2, E=12, F=1, G=2, H=4, I=9, J=2, K=2, L=2, M=2, N=3, O=7, P=4, Q=0, R=10, S=16, T=12, U=1, V=1, W=4, X=0, Y=0, and Z=0. FIG. 9 depicts a set of letter tiles 9 corresponding to the theme playboard 1 a marked with the theme 3 “clothing.”

In an embodiment, the game kit includes a plurality of sets of letter tiles 9. In an embodiment, the game kit includes a number of sets of letter tiles 9 equal to the number of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c included in the game kit. In a further embodiment, the game kit includes a number of sets of letter tiles 9 equal to the number of playing surfaces 2 included in the game kit.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9. A “master-batch” of letter tiles includes the set of letter tiles for each theme playboard playing surface included in the game kit. The master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 includes enough letter tiles with letter-types 11 to match and cover all letter spaces 7 of the theme playboards included in the game kit 100. The sets of letter tiles 9 included in the master-batch 10 may be separate or shared in relation to the theme playboard playing surfaces 2.

In an embodiment, the master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 includes a separate set of letter tiles 9 for each theme playboard playing surface 2. For example, a game kit with three theme playboards, each theme playboard having one playing surface 2, has a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 that includes three separate sets of letter tiles 9. FIG. 10 depicts a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 that includes three sets of letter tiles 9, wherein one set corresponds to the theme playboard 1 a, one set corresponds to the theme playboard 1 b, and one set corresponds to the theme playboard 1 c. By way of further illustration, a game kit with three theme playboards, each theme playboard having two playing surfaces 2, has a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 that includes six separate sets of letter tiles 9.

In another embodiment, the master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 includes shared sets of letter tiles 9 for each theme playboard playing surface 2. When the master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 includes shared, or overlapping, sets of letter tiles 9, the master-batch 10 includes enough letter tiles 9 with letter-types 11 to cover all letter spaces 7 of the theme playboards included in the game kit 100, but not enough letter tiles 9 such that all of the letter spaces 7 of all of the theme playboards can be covered at once. For example, a game kit with three theme playboards, wherein the first theme playboard has a playing surface 2 with ten letter spaces 7 marked with the letter-type 11 “a,” the second theme playboard has a playing surface 2 with eight letter spaces 7 marked with the letter-type 11 “a,” and the third theme playboard has a playing surface 2 with ten letter spaces 7 marked with the letter-type 11 “a,” has a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 that includes ten letter tiles 9 marked with the letter-type 11 “a”—i.e., enough letter tiles 9 to cover all of the letter spaces 7 marked with the letter-type 11 “a” on the first, second, or third theme playboard. By contrast, a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 with separate sets of letter tiles 9 for the same game kit includes twenty-eight letter tiles 9 marked with the letter-type 11 “a.”

The letter tiles 9 may be formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. The letter tiles 9 may be formed from a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, chipboard, particle board, wood, plastic, metal, metal alloy, fabric, glass and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the letter tiles 9 includes a magnetic material. The magnetic material may be any magnetic material previously disclosed herein. The letter tiles 9 may be opaque, transparent, or translucent.

In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a and the letter tiles 9 each contain a magnetic material, and the theme playboard 1 a and the letter tiles 9 are capable of being magnetically attached. In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a and the letter tiles 9 are magnetically attached during play of the game.

The letter tiles may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

3. Substrate

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a substrate 21, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9.

The substrate 21 supports a theme playboard 1 a during play of the game.

During play of the game, the substrate 21 is located under the theme playboard 1 a, as shown in FIG. 4. The substrate 21 is located under the theme playboard 1 a and players place letter tiles 9 on top of the theme playboard 1 a, as shown in FIG. 8.

The substrate 21 is configured to support a theme playboard 1 a. The substrate 21 that is configured to support a theme playboard 1 a has an area that is equal to or larger than the area of the theme playboard 1 a. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 has an area from 100 in², or 121 in², or 144 in², or 169 in², or 196 in², or 225 in², or 256 in² to 289 in², or 324 in², or 361 in², or 400 in², or 625 in², or 1000 in². In a further embodiment, the substrate 21 has an area of 289 in².

The substrate 21 has a polygonal shape from a top-plan view. The polygonal shape may be any polygonal shape disclosed herein. FIG. 4 depicts a substrate 21 with a rectangle shape. The theme playboard 1 a and the substrate 21 may or may not have the same polygonal shape. In an embodiment, the theme playboard 1 a and the substrate 21 have the same polygonal shape.

The substrate 21 may be formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. The substrate 21 may be formed from a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, chipboard, particle board, wood, plastic, metal, metal alloy, fabric, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 includes a magnetic material. The magnetic material may be any magnetic material previously disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 is pigmented with a color, pigmented with a plurality of colors, marked with a graphic, marked with indicia, and combinations thereof. The color may be any color previously disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 is pigmented with a white color.

The substrate 21 and the theme playboard 1 a may be made of the same material or a different material. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 and the theme playboard 1 a are made of the same material.

In an embodiment, the substrate 21 and the letter tiles 9 each contain a magnetic material, and the substrate 21 and the letter tiles 9 are capable of being magnetically attached. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 and the letter tiles 9 are magnetically attached during play of the game, with the theme playboard 1 a positioned between the substrate 21 and the letter tiles 9. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 and the letter tiles 9 each contain a magnetic material, but the theme playboard 1 a does not contain a magnetic material.

In an embodiment, the substrate 21 and theme playboard 1 a are releasably attached via a magnetic attachment, a reciprocal fastening member, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 and the theme playboard 1 a each contain a magnetic material, and the substrate 21 and the theme playboard 1 a are capable of being magnetically attached. In an embodiment, the substrate 21 and the theme playboard 1 a are magnetically attached during play of the game. Nonlimiting examples of suitable reciprocal fastening members include loop and hook material (VELCRO®), a snap and a snap base, and combinations thereof. When the substrate 21 and theme playboard 1 a are releasably attached via a reciprocal fastening member, one member is fixed to the substrate 21, the other member is fixed to the theme playboard 1 a, and the members are aligned to fasten to one another.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes from 1 to 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 10 substrates 21. In a further embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes one and only one substrate 21.

The substrate may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

4. Mats

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a plurality of mats 17 for holding letter tiles 9 selected from the set of letter tiles 9 by respective players during play of the game, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b.

Each mat 17 is configured to hold a number of letter tiles 9 corresponding to the number of letter tiles 9 each player may hold per round of game play. In an embodiment, each mat 17 is configured to hold from 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 letter tiles 9. In an embodiment, each mat 17 is configured to hold seven letter tiles 9, as shown in FIG. 3a . FIG. 3b depicts a mat 17 holding seven letter tiles 9.

In an embodiment, during play of the game, each player is provided a mat 17. Each player retrieves a pre-determined number of letter tiles 9 from the set of letter tiles 9 and places the retrieved letter tiles 9 on the player's respective mat 17. During play of the game, players alternate selecting letter tiles 9 from their respective mats 17 and placing the selected letter tile 9 on a letter space 7 having the same letter-type 11 as the letter-type 11 of the selected letter tile 9.

The mats 17 may be formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. The mats 17 may be formed from a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, chipboard, particle board, wood, plastic, metal, metal alloy, fabric, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the mats 17 include a magnetic material. The magnetic material may be any magnetic material previously disclosed herein.

The mats 17 and the theme playboard 1 a may be made of the same material or a different material. In an embodiment, the mats 17 and the theme playboard 1 a are made of the same material.

In an embodiment, the mats 17 and the letter tiles 9 each contain a magnetic material, and the mats 17 and the letter tiles 9 are capable of being magnetically attached. In an embodiment, the mats 17 and the letter tiles 9 are magnetically attached during play of the game.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes from 2, or 3 to 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 mats 17. In a further embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes 4, or at least 4 mats 17.

The mats may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

5. Guidecards

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a plurality of guidecards 15. FIG. 5 depicts a guidecard 15 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Each guidecard 15 corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a. A “guidecard” that corresponds to a theme playboard includes one, some, or all of the following features: (i) is labeled with the theme of the corresponding theme playboard; (ii) includes a list with the number of each letter-type present on the letter spaces of the corresponding theme playboard; (iii) includes a list with each crossword and lone word marked on the corresponding theme playboard; (iv) includes instructions for retrieving letter tiles from a master-batch of letter tiles to produce a set of letter tiles for play of a theme playboard; (v) includes instructions for modifications to game play and/or game set-up to assist players with different cognitive abilities; and (vi) combinations thereof.

For example, FIG. 5 depicts a guidecard 15 corresponding to the theme playboard 1 a of FIG. 1. The guidecard 15 of FIG. 5 (i) is labeled with the theme 3 of the corresponding theme playboard 1 a; (ii) includes a list with the number of each letter-type 11 present on the letter spaces 7 of the corresponding theme playboard 1 a; and (iii) includes a list with each crossword 5 and lone word 6 marked on the corresponding theme playboard 1 a.

The guidecards 15 may be formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. The guidecards 15 may be formed from a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, chipboard, particle board, wood, plastic, metal, metal alloy, fabric, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the guidecard 15 includes a magnetic material. The magnetic material may be any magnetic material previously disclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes an equal number of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and guidecards 15, wherein each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c has a corresponding guidecard 15, as shown in FIG. 10. In a further embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes an equal number of theme playboard playing surfaces and guidecards, wherein each theme playboard playing surface 2 has a corresponding guidecard 15.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a plurality of sets of guidecards 15. A “set of guidecards” includes a number of guidecards that is equal to the number of players, wherein each guidecard in the set corresponds to the same theme playboard, or theme playboard playing surface. For example, a set of guidecards 15 for the theme playboard 1 a for four players includes four guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15 in the set corresponds to the theme playboard 1 a. In an embodiment, the set of guidecards 15 includes from 1, or 2, or 3 to 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 guidecards, each guidecard in the set corresponding to the same theme playboard. In a further embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes an equal number of theme playboards and sets of guidecards, wherein each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c has a corresponding set of guidecards 15. In a further embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes an equal number of theme playboard playing surfaces and sets of guidecards, wherein each theme playboard playing surface 2 has a corresponding set of guidecards 15.

The guidecards 15 may or may not be joined to one another. In an embodiment, each guidecard 15 of the plurality of guidecards 15 is joined to at least one other guidecard 15. A guidecard 15 may be joined to at least one other guidecard 15 via a back-to-back connection, accordion-style, a side-to-side connection, a top-to-bottom connection, a top-to-top connection, a perforated connection, and combinations thereof.

The guidecards may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

6. Tokens

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a plurality of tokens 19, as shown in FIG. 7.

The tokens 19 are formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. The tokens 19 may be formed from a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, chipboard, particle board, wood, plastic, metal, metal alloy, fabric, glass, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the tokens 19 include a magnetic material. The magnetic material may be any magnetic material previously disclosed herein. The tokens 19 have a shape. Nonlimiting examples of suitable shapes include sphere, cube, cuboid, cylinder, cone, pyramid, tetrahedron, and octahedron. FIG. 7 depicts tokens 19 with a cylinder shape. Nonlimiting examples of suitable token 19 include coins such as pennies; buttons; stickers; marbles; and toys such as balls or figurines.

In another embodiment, the tokens 19 are food items. Nonlimiting examples of suitable food items include hard candy, soft candy, caramel, gum, suckers, chocolate, jelly beans, fruit snacks, pretzels, chips, fruit, vegetables, nuts, licorice and marshmallows.

The tokens 19 may be opaque, transparent, or translucent.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes from 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 15, or 18, or 20 to 22, or 24, or 25, or 26, or 28, or 30, or 35, or 40, or 45, or 50 tokens 19. In another embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a number of tokens 19 that is equal to the highest number of crosswords 5 and lone words 6 marked on one theme playboard of the plurality of theme playboards included in the word game kit 100.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a plurality of tokens 19 and, during play of the game, a player earns a token 19 by placing a letter tile 9 on the last letter space 7 b of a crossword 5 or a lone word 6.

The tokens may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

7. Instruction Booklet

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes an instruction booklet. An “instruction booklet” is printed with instructions for play of the word game, or the method of playing the word game.

The instruction booklet may be formed from a single sheet or a plurality of sheets. Each sheet may be formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, plastic, and combinations thereof.

A sheet has a front surface and a rear surface. The instructions for play of the game are printed on a front surface of each sheet, a rear surface of each sheet, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the instruction booklet is formed from a single sheet with instructions for play of the game printed on the front surface and rear surface of the sheet.

The instruction booklet may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

8. Book

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a corresponding book. A “book” is printed with text, graphics and combinations thereof corresponding to at least one theme playboard playing surface and the crosswords and lone words marked on the theme playboard playing surface. The book that corresponds to a theme playboard playing surface includes one, some, or all of the following features: (i) is printed with a graphic depiction of each crossword and lone word marked on the theme playboard, along with text reciting the crosswords and lone words; (ii) is printed with a story that includes each crossword and lone word marked on the theme playboard; and (iii) combinations thereof. By way of illustration, a nonlimiting example of a book with text and a graphic corresponding to the theme playboard 1 a with the theme 3 “clothing” and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 marked on the theme playboard 1 a includes text reciting the crossword 5 “robe” and a graphic depiction of a robe.

The text, graphics and combinations thereof corresponding to a theme playboard 1 a and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 marked on the theme playboard 1 a may or may not form a story. The story may be fiction or non-fiction. In an embodiment, the text, graphics and combinations thereof form a story and the story includes a character or a plurality of characters. In a further embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes one corresponding book for each theme playboard 1 a playing surface 2 included in the word game kit 100, and each book includes text, graphics and combinations thereof that form a story with the same character or plurality of characters.

In an embodiment, book text reciting crosswords 5 or lone words 6 is printed in bold, highlighted, underlined, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the book is printed with text and graphics corresponding to one theme playboard 1 a playing surface 2. In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes one corresponding book for each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c playing surface 2 included in the word game kit 100. In another embodiment, one book is printed with text and graphics corresponding to each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c playing surface 2 included in the word game kit 100.

In an embodiment, during play of the game, the players read the book prior to, during, and/or after placing letter tiles 9 on the theme playboard 1 a playing surface 2 corresponding to the book.

Providing the book printed with text, graphics and combinations thereof corresponding to at least one theme playboard playing surface and the crosswords and lone words marked on the theme playboard playing surface reinforces the context and categorization of the crosswords and lone words, allowing for heightened understanding of the theme, the crosswords, and the lone words. When the book includes the crosswords and lone words in a story, a player's understanding of the meaning and use of the crosswords and lone words is heightened because the crosswords and lone words are used in context of the story.

The book is formed from a plurality of sheets. Each sheet may be formed from a rigid material or a non-rigid material. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include paper, card stock, cardboard, plastic, fabric, and combinations thereof.

The book may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a plurality of theme playboards, wherein (A) the number of theme playboards is equal to the number of (i) sets of letter tiles 9, (ii) sets of guidecards, (iii) books, or (iv) combinations thereof included in the kit, and (B) each theme playboard included in the kit has a corresponding (i) set of letter tiles 9, (ii) set of guidecards, (iii) book, or (iv) combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes a plurality of theme playboards, wherein (A) the number of theme playboard playing surfaces is equal to the number of (i) sets of letter tiles 9, (ii) sets of guidecards, (iii) books, or (iv) combinations thereof included in the kit, and (B) each theme playboard playing surface included in the kit has a corresponding (i) set of letter tiles 9, (ii) set of guidecards, (iii) book, or (iv) combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b;     -   a set of letter tiles 9, and     -   a substrate 21.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a set of letter tiles 9, and     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a set of letter tiles 9,     -   a substrate 21;     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a plurality of mats 17; and     -   a plurality of tokens 19.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a set of letter tiles 9, a substrate 21;     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a plurality of mats 17;     -   a plurality of tokens 19;     -   an instruction booklet; and     -   a book including text, graphics and combinations thereof         corresponding to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9; and     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, each theme         playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c having two playing surfaces 2;     -   a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9, wherein the master-batch 10         of letter tiles 9 includes one set of letter tiles 9 for each         playing surface 2;     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a playing surface 2; and     -   a substrate 21.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9, wherein the master-batch 10         of letter tiles 9 includes one set of letter tiles 9 for each         theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c; and     -   a substrate 21.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9, wherein the master-batch 10         of letter tiles 9 includes one set of letter tiles 9 for each         theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a substrate 21;     -   a plurality of mats 17; and     -   a plurality of tokens 19.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9, wherein the master-batch 10         of letter tiles 9 includes one set of letter tiles 9 for each         theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a plurality of guidecards 15, wherein each guidecard 15         corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a substrate 21;     -   a plurality of mats 17;     -   a plurality of tokens 19;     -   an instruction booklet; and     -   a book including text, graphics and combinations thereof         corresponding to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9, wherein the master-batch 10         of letter tiles 9 includes one set of letter tiles 9 for each         theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a plurality of sets of guidecards 15, wherein each set of         guidecards 15 corresponds to a theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   a substrate 21;     -   a plurality of mats 17;     -   a plurality of tokens 19;     -   an instruction booklet; and     -   a plurality of books, each book including text, graphics and         combinations thereof corresponding to a theme playboard 1 a, 1         b, 1 c.

In an embodiment, the word game kit 100 includes:

-   -   three or more theme playboards;     -   a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9, wherein the master-batch 10         of letter tiles 9 includes one separate set of letter tiles 9         for each theme playboard;     -   a plurality of sets of guidecards 15, wherein each set of         guidecards 15 includes four or more guidecards 15 and each         guidecard 15 in each set of guidecards 15 corresponds to the         same theme playboard and;     -   a substrate 21;     -   four or more mats 17;     -   a plurality of tokens 19;     -   an instruction booklet; and     -   a plurality of books, each book including text, graphics and         combinations thereof corresponding to a theme playboard.

The word game kit may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

B. Method for Playing an Interactive Spelling Game

The present disclosure also provides a method for playing an interactive spelling game between a plurality of players including a first player and a second player.

While the present disclosure describes a method for playing an interactive spelling game between a first player and a second player, the present method for playing a game may be played between more than two players. In an embodiment, the plurality of players includes from 2, or 3 to 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 players.

1. Providing a Word Game Kit and Selecting a Theme Playboard

The method includes providing a word game kit including a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and a set of letter tiles 9. Each theme playboard 1 a is labeled with a theme 3 and marked with a grid of crosswords 5 corresponding to the theme 3. Each crossword 5 includes a plurality of letter spaces 7. Each letter tile 9 is dimensioned to be placed on a letter space 7. The set of letter tiles 9 includes a number of letter tiles 9 with letter-types 11 that match the number of letter-types 11 shown in the letter spaces 7. The word game kit may be any word game kit 100 previously disclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the method includes selecting one theme playboard 1 a from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard 1 a. An “in-play” theme playboard is the theme playboard having the playing surface that players select to play by alternating turns placing letter tiles on the letter spaces of said theme playboard. In an embodiment, the in-play theme playboard 1 a is placed on a substrate 21, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. In another embodiment, the in-play theme playboard 1 a is placed on a substrate 21 and attached to the substrate 21. FIG. 8 depicts a theme playboard 1 a located between a substrate 21 and a plurality of letter tiles 9. The letter tiles 9 are placed on the playing surface 2 of the in-play theme playboard 1 a.

In an embodiment, the method includes providing a word game kit including a plurality of playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9, wherein the master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 includes one set of letter tiles 9 corresponding to each playing surface 2 of each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c. In an embodiment, the method includes retrieving letter tiles 9 from the master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9 to produce a set of letter tiles 9, the set of letter tiles 9 including a number of letter tiles 9 with letter-types 11 that match the number of letter-types 11 shown in the letter spaces 7 of the in-play theme playboard 1 a. In an embodiment, the word game kit includes a guidecard 15 corresponding to each theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, the guidecard having a list with the number of each letter-type 11 present on the letter spaces 7 of the corresponding theme playboard 1 a, as shown in FIG. 5. In an embodiment, the method includes selecting the guidecard 15 that corresponds to the in-play theme playboard 1 a and retrieving the set of letter tiles 9 corresponding to the in-play theme playboard 1 a in accordance with a list of letter-types 11 marked on the guidecard 15. In a further embodiment, the method includes selecting the set of guidecards 15 that corresponds to the in-play theme playboard 1 a, providing each player with one guidecard 15 from the selected set of guidecards 15, and retrieving the set of letter tiles 9 corresponding to the in-play theme playboard 1 a in accordance with a list of letter-types 11 marked on the guidecards 15 from the selected set of guidecards 15.

In an embodiment, the word game kit includes a guidecard 15 marked with a list of the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 marked on the corresponding theme playboard 1 a. In an embodiment, the method includes reading, by each player, the list of crosswords 5 and lone words 6. In an embodiment, the method includes reading and reiterating each crossword 5 and lone word 6, via speech, a speech device, a keyboard, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the word game kit includes a book printed with text, graphics and combinations thereof corresponding to a theme playboard 1 a and the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 marked on the theme playboard 1 a. In an embodiment, the method includes reading, by each player, the book. In an embodiment, the method includes reading and reiterating the book, via speech, a speech device, a keyboard, and combinations thereof.

2. Removing a Pre-Determined Share of Letter Tiles

The present method includes removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the set of letter tiles 9.

In an embodiment, the pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 includes from 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 letter tiles 9. In a further embodiment, the pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 includes seven letter tiles 9. FIG. 2 depicts a pre-determined share of seven letter tiles 9.

In an embodiment, the method includes placing the player's pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 on a player's respective mat 17. FIG. 3b depicts a player's pre-determined share of seven letter tiles 9 placed on a player's respective mat 17.

3. Alternating Turns Between Players

The present method includes alternating turns by each player, each player selecting a letter tile 9 from the player's respective share and covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the in-play theme playboard 1 a with letter tiles 9 from each player's respective share, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11. In an embodiment, the method includes alternating turns by each player, each player selecting from 1 to 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7 letter tiles 9 from the player's respective share and covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the in-play theme playboard 1 a with letter tiles 9 from each player's respective share, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11.

The “spell order” of the letter spaces is the sequence of the letter-types in the crossword or lone word as conveyed when the crossword or lone word is spelled as commonly pronounced. In other words, “spell order” is letter-type placement from the first letter space sequentially to the last letter space of a crossword or lone word. Spell order excludes random placement of letter tiles 9 on letter spaces 7. By way of illustration, spell order excludes the last letter space 7 b of a crossword 5 or lone word 6 being tiled before the first letter space 7 a of the same crossword 5 or lone word 6—unless the last letter space 7 b of one crossword 5 is also the first letter space 7 a of another interconnected crossword 5, in which case said letter space 7 may be tiled at any time because it is a first letter space 7 a. In this way, spell order directs the players to tile the crosswords 5 and lone words 6 from the first letter space 7 a, one letter space 7 after another, to the last letter space 7 b. The shared letter space 7 of two crosswords 5 may be tiled in spell order for either, or both, of the crosswords 5. By way of illustration with reference to FIG. 6a , spell order for crosswords 5 includes covering the first letter space 7 a of the crossword 5 “underwear” having the letter-type “u” before the first letter space 7 a of the interconnected crossword 5 “swimsuit” is covered.

FIG. 6a depicts a letter space 7 a marked with the letter-type 11 “r” of the crossword 5 “robe” that is covered with a letter tile 9, wherein the letter tile 9 is also marked with the letter-type 11 “r.” The covered (or tiled) letter space 7 of FIG. 6a is the first letter space 7 a of the crossword 5 “robe.” In spell order, the next letter space 7 that may be covered is (i) the letter space 7 marked with the letter-type 11 “o” of the crossword 5 “robe” or (ii) any of the other first letter spaces 7 a on the theme playboard 1 a. FIG. 6a depicts a theme playboard 1 a with one tiled letter space 7 after a first turn of a first player.

In an embodiment, the method includes maintaining, by each player the pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the set of letter tiles 9 until there are no letter tiles 9 remaining in the set. Thus, after selecting a letter tile 9 and covering a letter space 7 with the selected letter tile 9, the player removes another letter tile 9 from the set of letter tiles 9 and adds it to the player's share of letter tiles 9.

The method includes alternating turns between players. Players alternate selecting letter tiles 9 from their respective mats 17 and placing the selected letter tile 9 on a letter space 7 having the same letter-type 11 as the letter-type 11 of the selected letter tile 9 in spell order.

FIG. 6b depicts a theme playboard 1 a with two tiled letter spaces 7 after a first turn of a second player. The second player's first turn, as depicted in FIG. 6b , includes selecting a letter tile 9 marked with the letter-type “s” from the second player's respective share of letter tiles 9, and covering, in spell order, a letter space 7 with the selected letter tile 9, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11. As shown, the covered letter space 7 is a first letter space 7 a of the crossword 5 “shorts,” which falls within spell order.

FIG. 6c depicts a theme playboard 1 a with three tiled letter spaces 7 after a second turn of the first player. The first player's second turn, as depicted in FIG. 6c , includes selecting a letter tile 9 marked with the letter-type “o” from the first player's respective share of letter tiles 9, and covering, in spell order, a letter space 7 with the selected letter tile 9, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11. As shown, the covered letter space 7 is in spell order of the crossword 5 “robe” because the covered letter space 7 is played in sequence following a covered first letter space 7 a.

FIG. 6d depicts a theme playboard 1 a with four tiled letter spaces 7 after a second turn of the second player. The second player's second turn, as depicted in FIG. 6d , includes selecting a letter tile 9 marked with the letter-type “b” from the second player's respective share of letter tiles 9, and covering, in spell order, a letter space 7 with the selected letter tile 9, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11. As shown, the next letter space 7 that may be covered, in spell order, is (i) the last letter space 7 b marked with the letter-type 11 “e” of the crossword 5 “robe,” (ii) the letter space 7 marked with the letter-type 11 “h” of the crossword 5 “shorts,” (iii) the letter space 7 marked with the letter-type 11 “o” that is adjacent to the first letter space 7 a marked with the letter-type 11 “b” of the crossword 5 “boots,” or (iv) any of the first letter spaces 7 a on the theme playboard 1 a that are not already covered with a letter tile 9.

FIG. 6e depicts a theme playboard 1 a with five tiled letter spaces 7 after a third turn of the first player. The first player's third turn, as depicted in FIG. 6e , includes selecting a letter tile 9 marked with the letter-type “e” from the first player's respective share of letter tiles 9, and covering, in spell order, a letter space 7 with the selected letter tile 9, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11. The covered letter space 7 is the last letter space 7 b of the crossword 5 “robe.”

In an embodiment, the method includes a player exchanging from 1 to 2 letter tiles 9 from a player's respective share with letter tiles 9 from the set of letter tiles 9 when no letter tile 9 within the player's respective share can be placed on the in-play theme playboard 1 a in spell order.

In an embodiment, the method includes a player reading and reiterating a crossword 5 or a lone word 6, via speech, a speech device, a keyboard, and combinations thereof after a letter space 7 within the crossword 5 or lone word 6 is covered with a letter tile 9. In an embodiment, the method includes a player reading and reiterating a crossword 5 or lone word 6, via speech, a speech device, a keyboard, and combinations thereof after the last letter space 7 b of the crossword 5 or lone word 6 is covered with a letter tile 9.

Children, especially children with cognitive disabilities, communication disorders, and/or physical disabilities, often require reinforcement and encouragement to use speech, speech devices and/or keyboards. The present method provides reinforcement and encouragement for players to use speech, speech devices and/or keyboards by having players read and reiterate crosswords 5 and lone words 6. Reinforced use of speech, speech devices and/or keyboards helps improve players' communication skills.

In an embodiment, the game kit includes a plurality of tokens 19. The method includes a player covering a last letter space 7 b of a crossword 5 or a lone word 6 with a letter tile 9; and earning a token 19. Thus, the method includes awarding a token 19 to a player after the player covers, in spell order, a last letter space 7 b of a crossword 5 or a lone word 6 with a letter tile 9, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered last letter space 7 b have the same letter-type 11.

In an embodiment, the method includes alternating turns between players until each letter space 7 is covered with a letter tile 9.

In an embodiment, the method includes counting the number of tokens 19 each player has been awarded. The method includes determining a winner by counting the number of tokens 19 each player has been awarded. The player with the highest number of tokens 19 wins the game.

In an embodiment, the method includes

providing a word game kit, the word game kit including

-   -   (i) a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   (ii) a set of letter tiles 9, and     -   (iii) a substrate 21;

selecting one theme playboard 1 a from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard 1 a;

placing the in-play theme playboard 1 a on the substrate 21;

removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the set; and

alternating turns between players, each player

-   -   (a) selecting a letter tile 9 from the player's respective         share; and     -   (b) covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the in-play         theme playboard 1 a with letter tiles 9 from each player's         respective share, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered         letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11.

In an embodiment, the method includes

providing a word game kit, the word game kit including

-   -   (i) a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   (ii) a set of letter tiles 9, and     -   (iii) a substrate 21;

selecting one theme playboard 1 a from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard 1 a;

placing the in-play theme playboard 1 a on the substrate 21;

attaching the in-play theme playboard 1 a to the substrate 21;

removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the set; and

alternating turns between players, each player

-   -   (a) selecting a letter tile 9 from the player's respective         share; and     -   (b) covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the in-play         theme playboard 1 a with letter tiles 9 from each player's         respective share, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered         letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11.

In an embodiment, the method includes

providing a word game kit, the word game kit including

-   -   (i) a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   (ii) a set of letter tiles 9, and     -   (iii) a plurality of mats 17;

selecting one theme playboard 1 a from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard 1 a;

removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the set;

placing the pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 on a mat 17 for each respective player; and

alternating turns between players, each player

-   -   (a) selecting a letter tile 9 from the player's respective         share; and     -   (b) covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the in-play         theme playboard 1 a with letter tiles 9 from each player's         respective share, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered         letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11.

In an embodiment, the method includes

providing a word game kit, the word game kit including

-   -   (i) a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c;     -   (ii) a set of letter tiles 9,     -   (iii) a substrate 21;     -   (v) a plurality of mats 17; and     -   (vi) a plurality of tokens 19;

selecting one theme playboard 1 a from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard 1 a;

placing the in-play theme playboard 1 a on the substrate 21;

attaching the in-play theme playboard 1 a to the substrate 21;

removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the set;

placing the pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 on a mat 17 for each respective player;

alternating turns between players, each player

-   -   (a) selecting a letter tile 9 from the player's respective         share; and     -   (b) covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the in-play         theme playboard 1 a with letter tiles 9 from each player's         respective share, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered         letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11;

covering a last letter space 7 b of a crossword 5 or a lone word 6 with a letter tile 9; and earning a token.

In an embodiment, the method includes providing a word game kit, the word game kit including

-   -   (i) a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c; and     -   (ii) a plurality of sets of letter tiles 9, wherein each set of         letter tiles 9 corresponds to one theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c         and the plurality of sets of letter tiles 9 forms a master-batch         10 of letter tiles 9;     -   (iii) a substrate 21;     -   (v) a plurality of mats 17; and     -   (vi) a plurality of tokens 19;

selecting one theme playboard 1 a from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard 1 a;

placing the in-play theme playboard 1 a on the substrate 21;

selecting the set of letter tiles 9 corresponding to the in-play theme playboard 1 a;

removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the selected set;

placing the pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 on a mat 17 for each respective player;

alternating turns between players, each player

-   -   (a) selecting a letter tile 9 from the player's respective         share; and     -   (b) covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the in-play         theme playboard 1 a with letter tiles 9 from each player's         respective share, wherein the letter tile 9 and the covered         letter space 7 have the same letter-type 11; and

covering a last letter space 7 b of a crossword 5 or a lone word 6 with a letter tile 9; and earning a token.

In an embodiment, the method includes

providing a word game kit, the word game kit including

-   -   (i) a plurality of theme playboards 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, each theme         playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c having two opposing playing surfaces 2;         and     -   (ii) a plurality of sets of letter tiles 9, wherein each set of         letter tiles 9 corresponds to each playing surface 2 of each         theme playboard 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and the plurality of sets of         letter tiles 9 forms a master-batch 10 of letter tiles 9;     -   (iii) a substrate 21;     -   (v) a plurality of mats 17; and     -   (vi) a plurality of tokens 19;

selecting one theme playboard 1 a from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard 1 a;

selecting one playing surface 2 of the in-play theme playboard 1 a;

placing the in-play theme playboard 1 a on the substrate 21 such that the selected playing surface 2 faces away from the substrate 21;

selecting the set of letter tiles 9 corresponding to the selected playing surface 2 of the in-play theme playboard 1 a;

removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 from the selected set;

placing the pre-determined share of letter tiles 9 on a mat 17 for each respective player;

alternating turns between players, each player

-   -   (a) selecting a letter tile 9 from the player's respective         share; and     -   (b) covering, in spell order, the letter spaces 7 of the         selected playing surface 2 of the in-play theme playboard 1 a         with letter tiles 9 from each player's respective share, wherein         the letter tile 9 and the covered letter space 7 have the same         letter-type 11; and

covering a last letter space 7 b of a crossword 5 or a lone word 6 with a letter tile 9; and

earning a token.

The method may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A word game kit comprising: a plurality of theme playboards, each theme playboard labeled with a theme and marked with a grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme, each crossword comprising a plurality of letter spaces; and a set of letter tiles, each letter tile dimensioned to be placed on a letter space, the set consisting of a number of letter tiles with letter-types that match the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces.
 2. The kit of claim 1 wherein each theme playboard comprises shaded areas void of words.
 3. The kit of claim 1 comprising a master-batch of letter tiles; and a guidecard corresponding to each theme playboard, the guidecard having a list with the number of each letter-type present on the letter spaces.
 4. The kit of claim 3 wherein the guidecard comprises instructions for retrieving the letter tiles from a master-batch of letter tiles to produce the set letter tiles.
 5. The kit of claim 1 comprising a plurality of mats for holding letter tiles selected from the set by respective players during play of the game.
 6. The kit of claim 5 wherein players alternate selecting letter tiles from their respective mats and place the selected letter tile on a letter space having the same letter-type as the letter-type of the selected letter tile.
 7. The kit of claim 6 comprising a plurality of tokens wherein a player earns a token by placing a letter tile on the last letter space of a crossword.
 8. The kit of claim 1 comprising a substrate for supporting each theme playboard during play of the game.
 9. The kit of claim 8 wherein the substrate and the playboard are magnetically attached during play of the game.
 10. The kit of claim 8 wherein the substrate and the letter tiles are magnetically attached during play of the game.
 11. A method for playing an interactive spelling game between a plurality of players including a first player and a second player, comprising: providing a word game kit comprising (i) a plurality of theme playboards, each theme playboard labeled with a theme and marked with a grid of crosswords corresponding to the theme, each crossword comprising a plurality of letter spaces; and (ii) a set of letter tiles, each letter tile dimensioned to be placed on a letter space, the set consisting of a number letter tiles with letter-types that match the number of letter-types shown in the letter spaces; selecting one theme playboard from the plurality of theme playboards to provide an in-play theme playboard; removing, by each player, a pre-determined share of letter tiles from the set; alternating turns between players, each player selecting a letter tile from the player's respective share; and covering, in spell order, the letter spaces of the in-play theme playboard with letter tiles from each player's respective share, wherein the letter tile and the covered letter space have the same letter-type.
 12. The method of claim 11 comprising placing the pre-determined number of letter tiles on a mat for each respective player.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the game kit further comprises a plurality of tokens.
 14. The method of claim 13 comprising covering a last letter space of a crossword with a letter tile; and earning a token.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the game kit comprises a plurality of sets of letter tiles, wherein each set of letter tiles corresponds to one theme playboard and the plurality of sets of letter tiles forms a master-batch of letter tiles.
 16. The method of claim 15 comprising selecting, from the master-batch of letter tiles, the set of letter tiles corresponding to the in-play theme playboard. 